|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Thu Oct 13, 2005 8:32 pm
this topic if for talking about how to tell people about God, and also about knowing what your talking about.
ARE YOU AWAKE? this is a zen flash card from a book I just read and it got me thinking...am I awake? am I awake to tell people about God, and do I know what I am talking about? to be honest I don't know right now, but I am starting to experiment a little...I just don't know if that is a good idea...I gess it is if I open eyes to God.
what ways do you spread the word?
how do you think walking up to someone and asking them if they know God would work?
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Oct 13, 2005 10:32 pm
Adelphamarino what ways do you spread the word?
I'm one of those lucky few in this guild who don't feel pressured to do that; thus causing, well not really causing as much as influencing, me to not spread the word. This stems from my atheistic beliefs.
However, I will interpret this question a little different than most. I will interpret it as, In what ways do 'most' christians spread the word.
I put most in single quotations because by most I really mean, the loudest. So, the loudest christians spread the word in ineffective ways. They usually use an ultimatum type tactic, which is an absolutely horrid idea for trying to gain followers for a faith, especially a peaceful faith. By ultimatum type tactic, I mean that, the loudest christians use a tactic like the following "Have you accepted Jesus?... Well, you'll go to hell if you don't; where you'll suffer eternal torment and anguish; thus you should accept Jesus."
Quote: how do you think walking up to someone and asking them if they know God would work?
I think some of the most effective ways, would be to leave out the whole hell part completely, not being overtly forceful, actually state how you found Jesus, enter into conversion attempts with as much respect as you would for any other religion.
By leaving out the hell part, I mean, that unless you are asked specifically about it, do not mention it. Sure, it may be a great tool for those who are easily influenced, but, think about it this way. "Are they truly coming over because they want to do good or is it that they are scared of hell, and that their unwant of eternal punishment is making them believe?" In other words, would the person in question be any better off (soul wise) if they were a christian only because they didn't want to go to hell than they would be if they were not christian?
Also realize that coming right out and saying "Non-christians will go to hell," is very ineffective. Think about it this way, do you like it when people tell you about your shortcomings and what will happen to you, repeatedly? Us non-Christians, do get a lot of those 'you're going to hell' comments and quite frankly, I don't like hearing about my death sentence repeatedly.
By not being forceful, I mean, do not be one of those loud christians who try to force their religion on others. Other than that, I think it's pretty self explanatory.
By stating how you found Jesus, I mean just that. Telling me you where in a bada situation, that you where a chronic drug and alcohol abuser who was more than very promiscuous and then found Jesus, leaves me wondering "Well, if they were in a horrid situation and they turned around, how exactly did they do that?" Furthermore answers like "I felt bad, real bad, and I wanted it to stop;" is not an answer at all, in the sense that it is vague, general, and still does not answer the question. You should state what exactly brought you to the realization that there is, in fact, a Christ, and that this Christ is true.
By respecting other conversion attempts as much as your own attempts on others, I mean just that. That, if one where to try and convert you to Satanism, you should respect it as much as you would want them to respect a conversion attempt from you. If you show them no respect for their attempts on you, why should they show you any more respect than you showed them? If we look at Immanuel Kant, he states that "one should act only in such a way that they can will it a universal law." Meaning that, if you act in non-respect, you have to assume that non-respect is the rule. This is because non-respect was the action that was performed, thus, since non-respect was the action, there needs to be a law made such that non-respect is a universal law: meaning that, if non-respect is a universal law, to expect anything more than non-respect is absurd, because no one will be respectful as respect goes against what is the rule. As such, you cannot assume any more respect than non-respect. Keep in mind, that the Kantian quote I provided, is a very good rule that shows why being good is logical.
I have not mention this, but, you should also show how being Christian is better than the persons current way of living. If I see being Christian as good as being the way I currently am, why should I change? I mean, if being one thing is just as good as being the other, what is the reason for changing to the other? Furthermore, showing Christianity in a worse light would merely incourage me to stay the way that I am, or change to something more violently opposed to Christianity (depending on how bad you show Christianity/my reaction to what you have presented me). Thus the only option left is to show why Christianity is better than the alternative. Better yet, you should show how Christianity is better than all alternatives. Again, with this part, you should completely avoid presenting anything on hell, unless specifically asked about hell - for the same reasons already written above.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Oct 14, 2005 4:38 pm
vary interesting, I agree with you, totaly.
I gess being a "loud christian" wouldent be vary useful.
this realy helps, thank you.
do you have anything to say about people who "hate" christians?
I have a "friend" who thinks that christians think they are "better then every one else" what are good ways to show humility? to show that we love God and don't think that makes us "better" then anyone else?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Oct 16, 2005 2:13 pm
Hey! Well, I do agree with what chaoticpuppet said about the loudest christian part and everything. I like how you said to explain how you found Jesus.
Anyways, I've never really actually gotten to witness someone. I knew there were a couple people I was suppose to witness to and such, but I'm too shy for my own good. But if I were ever to witness to someone I probably wouldn't mention Hell unless they brought the subject up. No one really wants to be pressured into a Religion. I know I wouldn't.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Oct 18, 2005 6:37 pm
I helped my friend witness to our other friend...When I talked to him though, he was still stuck on whether or not God actually exists. This was last year. Soon after I talked to him he accepted Christ. I don't know whether what I said had any impact on him, but hey, it worked out in the end. smile
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
